In this fiery episode of Messy Liberation, feminist business coach Becky Mollenkamp and special guest Taina Brown dive into the growing generational divide around gender equality. Sparked by Cosmo's recent “Feminism Recession” article and the global study it references, this episode unpacks the backlash to feminism among Gen Z men, the weaponization of data, and the hubris of white male leadership.

Discussed in this episode:

• Cosmo's “Feminism Recession” article breakdown
• Gender equity and generational divides
• The rise of anti-feminism among Gen Z men
• Political gaslighting and SignalGate
• Why data literacy and framing matter in feminism conversations
• White male privilege, institutional power, and public accountability
• Raising white boys with emotional intelligence

Resources mentioned:
📖 “The Great Feminism Recession” in Cosmo
📊 Gender divide study by King’s College in London
📚 “When Your Abuser is Your President” from No Trifling Matter

In this episode, neuroscientist Dr. Kaela Singleton joins us to discuss the neuroscience behind manifestation, dopamine hacking, and why happiness isn’t a sustainable state. We explore how trauma and epigenetics impact the brain, why radical self-care is essential, and the intersection of neuroscience and systemic oppression. Kaela also shares insights on neuro-racism, the effects of capitalism on mental health, and how we can shift our mindset for true contentment.

Discussed in This Episode:

• What dopamine hacking is and why it’s misunderstood
• How manifestation and neuroscience actually intersect
• The truth about happiness and why it isn’t a sustainable goal
• How social media is affecting our attention spans
• The impact of systemic racism on the brain
• Neuro-racism and the historical misuse of neuroscience
• The role of trauma and epigenetics in shaping mental health
• Why radical self-care is a form of resistance
• How capitalism manipulates our dopamine responses
• Practical ways to retrain your brain for contentment

Resources Mentioned:

• Kaela Singleton on Insta
• Kaela Singleton on Bluesky
• Dr. Jim Doty on Mel Robbins’ podcast
• Black in Neuro
• “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem
• “They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us” by Hanif Abdurraqib
• “Chain Gang All Stars” by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
• “Portrait of a Thief” by Grace D. Li
• “Universality” by Natasha Brown
• Draco Malfoy and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love

Dr. Kaela S. Singleton (she/her) is a Black Samoan Queer neuroscientist whose career blends groundbreaking research, community leadership, and advocacy for diversity in STEM. Raised in Georgia, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Neuroscience and Classical History from Agnes Scott College and a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Georgetown University. Her postdoctoral research at Emory University focused on pediatric neurodegeneration, advancing cellular and developmental neuroscience.

She now serves as the Director of Grants Management at Cure Alzheimer’s Fund. Dr. Singleton’s expertise and leadership have earned her recognition as a NINDS BP-ENDURE alum, NINDS D-SPAN Scholar, and Burroughs Wellcome Fund PDEP Fellow. As the President and Co-Founder of Black In Neuro, an international nonprofit, Dr. Singleton is dedicated to fostering equity and accountability in STEM, creating inclusive spaces that celebrate and empower Black scholars.

Reality TV is entertaining, but at what cost? In this episode, Becky Mollenkamp and Taina Brown dive deep into The Ultimatum: Queer Love, exploring how reality TV manipulates emotions, exploits trauma, and raises serious ethical concerns. They discuss the psychology behind our obsession with reality TV, the impact on mental health, and why binge-watching these shows can leave us feeling complicit in the drama. From Love Is Blind to The Real World, they examine how reality TV has evolved and whether it can ever be ethical.

Discussed in This Episode:

• The Ultimatum: Queer Love – What made it so intense?
• How reality TV manipulates emotions to keep us watching
• The psychology of reality TV: Why do we love watching drama unfold?
• Reality TV and mental health: The emotional toll on viewers and participants
• The ethics of reality TV: Consent, exploitation, and manufactured drama
• Parasocial relationships and why we feel connected to reality stars
• The impact of editing: How producers control the narrative
• The evolution of reality TV: From The Real World to Love Is Blind
• Reality TV and capitalism: Turning human experiences into profit
• Can reality TV ever be ethical? How it could be done differently

Reality TV isn’t just mindless entertainment—it reflects deeper cultural values and ethical dilemmas. Whether we love it or question it, we need to be more conscious of what we consume and why.